A time for compassion
To the editor:
If there is a situation that is begging for a compromise, then it exists in the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum. We feel that compassion, understanding and consideration are the paramount issues in this referendum. If both sides of the debate give a truly heartfelt reflection on these issues than hopefully a just compromise can be achieved. A sincere understanding of each side’s rightful wants and consideration of values will lead to fairness.
Let us begin with the essential want of the traditional advocates. They want to retain the exclusive ownership of the marriage title. They believe it is their gift; it was ordained for those who are joined in the very foundation that God requires. The marriage title is intrinsically tied to everything that is sacred to them. They want to stress the sacredness and inalterability of the marriage title, a title that holds a deeply ingrained belief. It is the belief that marriage is a union both civilly and sacramentally of one man and one woman.
Traditional marriage represents the cornerstone of society. In the young and fertile design of marriage, it is capable of generating new life; family, community and society are formed through this very union. This union was divinely ordained for the procreation of the human race, for the equal teaching and supportive role models provided best by both genders with the inherent values of both a father and a mother.
We as traditional advocates feel this is the only ordained marriage design. However, compassion, understanding and consideration open our hearts to acknowledge and respect the genuine love between two same-gender individuals and their commitment to each other and their relationships. Love between two people, however, is not the prerequisite of the marriage title. Redefining marriage alters the basic foundation of a two-gender union that is required to merit the ordained marriage title. The marriage title cannot be shared or appropriated simply because it is not ours to share.
The best analogy we can find is the very uniqueness in the relationship of a giver and a receiver of a gift. If we receive a gift from someone who is very dear to us and we know this gift was made truly exceptional and unique for us alone, then sharing this gift or allowing it to be altered would be a tremendous insult to our giver. This is exactly why many of the traditional advocates want to stand firm in not allowing the title of marriage to be shared.
Now, it might be asked here, if the traditional advocates still retain as before their marriage title, then how is this changed by sharing it? They cannot allow the marriage title to be redefined and shared without sacrificing the integrity and meaning of marriage for themselves. The title cannot encompass any union that is counter to what they believe should be valued in marriage. Compassion to empathy, understanding to respect, and consideration to kindness can all result with a compromise for the benefit of everyone. Traditional proponents want to retain the uniqueness and integrity of the marriage title since they are the original and only owners. This should be allowed for the sake of justice and consideration.
In this referendum, the same-sex advocates are looking to the people of Maine for compassion and understanding to grant them the right to marry with all the marriage entitlements. All of the privileges and benefits of marriage can be readily available to them under the title of civil unions. Their commitment and love for each other should not be hindered in any way under a title different than marriage. The civil union title could have the same validation to commitment as the marriage title.
We believe we can speak for most of the traditional advocates in their wanting compassion, understanding and love to go with the civil union title. Many under the traditional title believe they should not misplace their compassion in giving up the sacredness of the marriage title without the prerequisite of one man and one woman. Traditional advocates are also looking for understanding and consideration in their need to hold on to their deeply revered, ordained title.
The upcoming referendum should bring us all to the very fundamental question of where we stand in our relationship with God and marriage. Our prayer is that we choose the divine foundation of traditional marriage.
Peter Pinette, member
Coalition for Marriage Compromise
Disappointed with pet care experience
To the editor:
I am an animal lover and consider my pets to be members of my family. Recently one of my pets, a young, 9-month-old cat that I had rescued from an animal shelter became acutely ill. He was very lethargic and had lost bladder control. My regular veterinarian is located in Presque Isle.
I rushed my cat to the nearest veterinarian in Caribou, which was not my own. I was very upset, crying and shaking uncontrollably standing outside their office doors holding my limp cat. The secretary had taken him out back right away where they took my cat’s vital signs. I was told he had a fever and needed to have blood work drawn. I asked about the fee which I was willing to pay any amount as I love my animals. However, like so many of us, I could not afford a lot of money up front since this was unexpected and I am a single mother of an autistic child. I was shocked to find out that they would not work with me on a payment arrangement and told me my cat should survive the trip to Presque Isle. My cat was with the veterinarian not even 10 minutes and I was still charged even though I left to take my cat to my own veterinarian because they were unwilling to work with me as “my cat was not their patient.”
I left their facility in tears to drive to Presque Isle all the while keeping a hand on my cat’s abdomen to make sure he was still breathing as he lay limp in my arms. I arrived at Presque Isle to very warm hearted secretaries who helped me to calm down. I was allowed to go out back with my cat where the veterinarian explained everything she wanted to do and gave me an estimated cost up front. She told me I had always been an excellent customer and they had no problem working with me on cost. My cat’s temperature at that time had risen to over 103 degrees, he did not have control over his bladder and his blood sugar was over 300 with sugar present in his urine as well. He is still currently being treated.
I had spoken with the owner of the place I had originally taken my cat to in order to calmly voice my concerns on the way I was treated. I asked for the fee to be waived since I hadn’t even spoken to the veterinarian and was not there even 10 minutes and had to bring the cat to another facility for treatment and was bluntly told “no”, and that it was not their policy to make arrangements with people who were not their own.
I thought all veterinarians were in that field to help animals, regardless of who that pet’s veterinarian is?
Stacey Wood
Caribou
Message from UMPI’s new leader
To the editor:
Since moving to Presque Isle in mid-June, my family and I have been exploring the community and region-visiting restaurants and local businesses, riding the bike path, and making day trips to surrounding communities such as Fort Fairfield, Caribou, Ashland, Houlton, and Fort Kent. We have been met with warmth and kindness everywhere we have gone. Although we are from away, we already feel at home.
We have also been warmly greeted by the members of the UMPI community. Folks have been quick to help us adjust to our new home and community, and we have been showered with gifts-baskets of Maine-made items, plants, and even a platter of homemade whoopie pies! And, most importantly, everyone has been sharing information with me as I strive to understand campus traditions, customs, problems, and opportunities.
Now we would like to return the hospitality you have shown us. On the first day of the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Thursday, Aug. 23rd, we invite you to “bring your family to meet our family” at the President’s House, 171 Main, from 3-5 p.m. We’ll have pie and ice cream and activities for kids and teenagers, and, later, we can walk together to a high spot on campus to view the first of the ascending balloons.
We look forward to meeting you!
Linda Schott
UMPI president
Local host families needed for foreign teens
To the editor:
Foreign high school students are scheduled to arrive soon for academic year homestay programs, and the sponsoring organization needs a few more local host families. The students are anxiously awaiting news of their new families. This is the last chance for these young ambassadors to fulfill their life-long dreams, and their placement deadlines are rapidly approaching.
The students are all between the ages of 15 and 18 years, are English-speaking, have their own spending money, carry accident and health insurance, and are anxious to share their cultural experiences with their new American families. Pacific Intercultural Exchange currently has programs to match almost every family’s needs, ranging in length from one semester to a full academic year, where the students attend local public and private high schools.
P.I.E. area representatives match students with host families by finding common interests and lifestyles through an in-home meeting. Prospective host families are able to review student applications and select the perfect match. As there are no “typical” host families, P.I.E. can fit a student into just about any situation, whether it is a single parent, a childless couple, a retired couple or a large family.
Families who host for P.I.E. are also eligible to claim a monthly charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they host a sponsored student.
P.I.E. encourages interested families to contact the program immediately, as it will allow the proper time for the students and hosts to get to know one another before they actually meet for the first time. Families interested in learning more about student exchange or arranging for a meeting with a community representative may call P.I.E., toll-free, at 1-866-546-1402 or visit our website http://pieusa.org/. The agency also has travel/study program opportunities available for American high school students as well as possibilities for community volunteers to assist and work with area host families, students and schools.
John Doty, president
Pacific Intercultural Exchange
